Kate in ‘awe’ of Roger Federer at Wimbledon – but ‘the pleasure is mutual’

On July 5, 2023, Kate, Princess of Wales and Roger Federer sat together in the Centre Court’s Royal Box for day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships.

The pair watched Ryan Peniston versus Andy Murray, and tennis star Roger was also given a tribute at the Centre Court.

Body language expert Judi James spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the relationship between the Princess and the tennis pro.

She suggested that the pair were enthralled by each other and were delighted in each other’s company – but perhaps to the disappointment of another Wimbledon watcher.

Kate and Roger were snapped laughing and joking together, beaming as they talked tennis.

Excited hand gestures, big smiles and mirrored body language implied that the pair are fond friends.

Judi stated: “There’s clearly a strong level of fan-ship between Kate and Roger Federer as well as friendship.

“Kate’s hand clasp with fingers in the pray position suggests she’s overcome with awed delight to be sitting with him and her increase of touch rituals, like this hand on the arm, as well as the way the pair lean together, suggests the pleasure is mutual.

“They look charming and polite together and their trait of mirrored poses let us know that the blend of sporting hero and royal icon is a powerful one.”

However, the body language guru suggested that Roger’s wife Mirka may have been less than pleased by their closeness – although this could just be down to the specific photos taken of her.

She claimed: “Alongside these signals of respect and friendship Roger’s wife Mirka looks almost comical.

“Staring straight ahead with a glum facial expression, apparently blanking her husband as he turns to grin and chat, Mirka looks like a woman in the throes of a sulk, and that fist balled under her chin she moly adds to that suggestion she might just have been feeling neglected.

“It is a moment captured though and might possibly be misleading! She did attempt a closed lip smile as Kate walked past her.

“In terms of standing aside glum faced while some sparkling, fun body language goes on beside you, Mirka might find unlikely empathy from Prince William, who was often photographed looking glum beside brother Harry and wife Kate as they shared jokes and mirrored body language back in the day.”